System for method for producing synthetic plural word messages

ABSTRACT

A linguistic coding system and keyboard therefor for the use of people unable to use their own voices is described. The coding system and associated keyboard are based on the sentence rather than the word, phoneme or letter. The keyboard is coupled to a computer which stores a plurality of plural word messages or sentences in the memory thereof for selective retrieval by the keyboard. The sentences retrieved from the keyboard are fed to a voice synthesizer which converts them through a loud speaker to audible spoken messages The keyboard utilizes polysemic symbols on the respective keys and by designating a selected one of the keys and its associated polysemic symbols a primary message theme key, selected recorded plural messages in the computer memory may be retrieved by actuating a combination of the designated primary message theme key and other keys to vary the context of the polysemic symbols. Thus a plurality of sentences associated with a central theme may be selectively generated as a function of each polysemic symbol in combination with other symbols which modify the theme of the message or sentence.

This application is a continuation of prior application Ser. No.07/573,276, filed on Aug. 27, 1990, now abandoned, which is acontinuation of Ser. No. 07/325,044 filed on Mar. 16, 1989, nowabandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 003,464 filed on Jan. 15,1987 now abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 815,196 filed onDec. 27, 1985 which which is now U.S. Pat. No. 4,661,916 which is acontinuation of Ser. No. 659,878 filed Oct. 15, 1984 now abandoned,which is a continuation of Ser. No. 340,287 filed Jan. 18, 1982 nowabandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a linguistic coding system and keyboardtherefor for use by people unable to use their own voices to createeither synthetic speech or synthetic printed messages. Morespecifically, the present invention is related to a synthetic speech orprinting device based on the sentence or message rather than the word,phoneme or letter.

Heretofore synthetic speech or typing devices have coding systems basedon words, phonemes or letters which are implemented with keyboards withindicia thereon related to the word, phoneme or letter. These systemsare very complicated to use because they require an extraordinarilylarge number of symbols or indicia in order to have the capability togenerate entire sentences or plural sentence messages. Thisextraordinarily large number of keys and symbols makes it difficult tomemorize the necessary relationships to generate a sentence and inaddition requires an extremely large number of key actuations for agiven sentence or message. Thus, not only is it difficult to teach anoperator how to use one of these prior devices it takes entirely toolong to generate sentences or other plural word messages making theseprior art machines unsatisfactory for general use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide asynthetic speech device which may go directly from thought to speechwithout the need to record word, phoneme and letter data as individualentities.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a syntheticspeech or typing device which stores and retrieves whole sentences orplural word messages for selective retrieval other than individualwords, phonemes or letters.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide asynthetic speech or printing device with an improved keyboard whichminimizes the maximum number of necessary key actuations to generate asentence or a plural word message.

It is still another object of the present invention to utilize polysemicsymbols on the individual keys of the keyboard of the device of thepresent invention which may correspond to pictorial illustrations ofreal life objects.

It is a further object of the present invention to utilize polysemicsymbols on the keys of the keyboard because such symbols are more easilymemorized than alpha numeric characters.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide acoding system, method and keyboard therefor which is adaptable toindividual design by the operator to further enhance the memory capacityof an operator.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a codingsystem, method and keyboard therefor which is adaptable to either highintellectual or cultural levels of an operator or to the intellectuallevel of the uneducated.

It is a further object of the present invention to utilize polysemicsymbols in a coding system so that no reading skills are required tooperate the synthetic speech or typing device of the present invention.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide acoding system utilizing polysemic symbols to preclude the need for goodspelling skills in utilization of the device.

It is yet another object of the present invention to produce a syntheticspeech device with auditory clarity based on a linguistic analysis ofthe sentence structure which is stored in the memory for retrieval.

The objects of the present invention are fulfilled by providing a systemfor producing plural word synthetic messages from a compilation ofpredetermined plural word messages stored in a memory in response to theactuation of selected keys on a keyboard, said actuation of said keysselectively retrieving desired messages from said memory, at least onetheme key means in said keyboard bearing a polysemic symbol related to atheme of the message to be retrieved from said memory means for storinga plurality of said predetermined plural word messages having messagethemes related to the respective polysemic symbols used in said messageand a plurality of modifying key means with coded indicia thereon forselective actuation in combination with said at least one theme keymeans to selectively retrieve one of said plural word messages having atheme associated with the polysemic symbol on the actuated theme keymeans.

The memory is provided in a computer or microprocessor and storescomplete sentences or plural word messages rather than individual words,phonemes or letters. The microprocessor or computer is coupled to acommercially available voice synthesizer which converts the digitalsignals emerging therefrom into analog signals which drive a loudspeakerand generate audible synthetic speech. In the alternative to a voicesynthesizer a suitable printer may be utilized to directly convert theretrieved selected messages or sentences into printed messages on asuitable paper or substrate.

The system of the present invention allows an operator to go directlyfrom thought to speech This is possible because each key on the keyboardof the present invention bears a central image or symbol which ispolysemic and illustrates an important aspect of life and/or linguisticfunction. The keyboards may vary depending on the intellectual level ofthe intended operator. Therefore, each keyboard may in itself be alanguage which has been designed for or with a specific user. Each ofthe polysemic symbols is rich in associations and in combination signalssentence ideas in the operator's memory. This enables the generation ofplural word or whole sentence messages by the actuation of as few as twokeys or as many as seven keys. The devices of the present invention maygenerate hundreds of sentences which may be easily retrieved from memorybecause of the ease with which the polysemic symbols on the keys portraythe production of whole thoughts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects of the present invention and the attendant advantagesthereof will become more readily apparent by reference to theaccompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to likeparts and further wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a synthetic speech device of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of a keyboardcoded and marked with polysemic symbols in accordance with the presentinvention, each circle representing an individual key on the keyboard;and

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a group of keys to be usedon another form of keyboard for use with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the data processing programs utilized toprocess information in the microprocessor constituting a portion of theblock diagram illustrated in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1 there is illustrated the synthetic voice generatingdevice of the present invention generally designated 10. The device 10consists of a keyboard 12 of a type illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 to bediscussed hereinafter with its output coupled to a microprocessor 16.One microprocessor suitable for use with the present invention is anAIM-65 marketed by Rockwell International. Associated withmicroprocessor 16 is a suitable electrical programmable read only memory(EPROM) 14. EPROM 14 stores complete sentences or plural word messageswithout regard to individual words, phonemes or letters. Coupled to theoutput of microprocessor 16 is a commercially available speechsynthesizer 18 such as one designated Voltrax Speech PAC with an SC-01voice synthesizer chip therein marketed by Vodex. The output of thevoice synthesizer 18 is in turn coupled to a loudspeaker 20 whichgenerates audible synthetic speech in a manner well known in the art.

Referring in detail to FIG. 2 there is illustrated one embodiment of akeyboard for practicing the present invention wherein each of thecircles represents an individual key of the keyboard. Each of the keysincludes a centrally disposed picture of a real life object orillustration centrally disposed thereon. The majority of the keys alsohave identifying sequential numbers such as 1 to 10, 20, 30 and 50 inexamples shown in FIG. 2; an alphabetical letter corresponding to thenumbers; a portion of the human anatomy and a proper name. Accordingly,the keys may take on many different meanings depending on the sequenceand combination in which they are operated since they contain not onlythe polysemic symbols (real life objects or expressions) in the centerof the keys but additional indicia relating to other possible meaningsof information associated with that key. The keyboard of FIG. 2 isdesigned to be used by someone with a relatively high level ofintellectual achievement and education. A more simplistic keyboarddesigned for users of a lower intellectual level will be describedhereinafter with reference to FIG. 3.

Referring further to FIG. 2 the respective keys of the keyboard 1 to 10,20, 29, 30, 50, and 60 have symbols and indicia thereon in accordancewith the following chart which illustrates each key number and itsassociated letter, theme, portion of the human anatomy and proper name.

    ______________________________________                                        Key #  Letter  Theme       Anatomy Proper Name                                ______________________________________                                        1      A       Eating or   Arm     Ann                                                       Food                                                           2      B       Bad or Danger                                                                             Bone    Bob                                        3      C       Cathedral or                                                                              Coccyx  Cathy                                                     Chair                                                          4      D       Dressing or Diaphragm                                                                             Dan                                                       Clothing                                                       5      E       Transport or                                                                              Ear     Everest                                                   Travel                                                         6      F       Ablutions,  Feet    Fred                                                      bathing or                                                                    water                                                          7      G       Philosophy  Gall-   God                                                       or ideas    bladder                                            8      H       Formalities,                                                                              Head    Hades                                                     departures,                                                                   greetings                                                      9      I       Personal opin-                                                                            Eye     I                                                         ions and dis-                                                                 closures                                                       10     J       Logic or    Jugular Jesus                                                     modality                                                       20     K       Logic key and                                                                             Tongue  Tom                                                       tag questions                                                  29     None    Medical     --      --                                         30     O       Happiness or                                                                              Ovary   --                                                        positive ex-                                                                  pressions                                                      50     None    Type Mode   --      --                                         60     None    Electricity --      --                                         ______________________________________                                    

By reference to this chart an to the illustration of FIG. 2 examples ofthe operation of the keyboard of FIG. 2 in conjunction with theprinciples of the present invention can be understood. For example, keyno. 1 bears the image of an apple, key no. 2 a turkey, key no. 3 a chairand key no. 4 a dressing. These keys also have the alphabetic sequenceof A, B, C and D, anatomy portions such as an arm, a bone, a coccyx anda diaphragm; and the proper names Ann, Bob, Cathy and Dan. Theelectronic circuitry of the microprocessor 16 of FIG. 1 is programmed sothat the actuation of any one key twice designates that key as theprimary theme key. All other keys struck thereafter are associated withideas related to the theme key which has been struck twice. For example,when key 1 is struck twice, the microprocessor 16 determines that it isdesired to retrieve prerecorded sentences from EPROM 14 which arerelated to the theme of eating. Accordingly, when a key such as key 2 isstruck subsequently to the double actuation of key 1 a prerecordedsentence "get that food out of my mouth" is retrieved from EPROM 14 andspoken by the combination of the voice synthesizer 18 and loudspeaker20. In a similar fashion when key no. 3 is struck following doubleactuation of key no. 1, the sentence "There is something wrong with theposition of my chair." is read out from EPROM 14 and spoken overloudspeaker 20. A similar combined use of key 4 with key 1 causes thevoice synthesizer system of the present invention to say "Look out, thefood is getting on my clothes."

The microprocessor 16 of FIG. 1 may also be programmed to recognize asingle stroke of a key after the double actuation of the key designatinga central theme as a negative expression. This is convenient becausenegative sentences are often of an emergency nature and need to bespoken quickly. A positive context to each of the foregoing sentencescan be spoken by prefacing the actuation of the respective keys 2, 3, orwith the actuation of key 30 which pictures an ironically smiling sun.That is, the negative context of this sentence can be changed topositive by prefacing the actuation of the selected keys 2, 3, 4, etc.with key 30. Accordingly, after a double hit on the eating theme key inno. 1 a user may say "It's okay, I'm not choking." by striking key 30and then key 2. He may say "It's all right if a little food gets on myclothes." by hitting key 30 and then key 4. For a severely disabledperson to say these sentences on a text-to-speech or phonemic systemwould require dozens of key acutations plus the ability to read andspell very well. In contrast the keyboards designed for use in thesystem of the present invention require no more than four key actuationsfor the examples referred to above and do not require the ability toread or spell in view of the use of the polysemic symbols such as theapple, turkey, cathedral, coat, shirt and necktie.

Of course, many other variations and combinations of the keys from thekeyboard from FIG. 2 will result in the retrieval and output of otherprerecorded sentences from EPROM 14. For example, key no. 1 whichincludes the central symbol of an apple and connotes the theme of eatingcan mean oil when actuated following the double actuation of key 3 whichhas chair as one of its polysemic meanings.

Key no. 2 which contains the central symbol of a turkey can mean bad ordanger. When used in combination with the chair key no. 3 it can referto "bad brakes" and in combination with the clothing key 4 it can meanthat the user's belt is too tight or that his tie is choking him.

After key no. 5 (transport) it refers to the inability of the chair togo. After the medical key 29 it refers to bones, joint pains, etc. andcan refer when joined with key no. 3 to specific abilities of the chair,problems of transporting of the chair, etc.

Key no. 3 is the chair key for people in wheelchairs. Cathedra is theLatin word for chair so a cathedral fascade is used in preference to theless attractive standard wheelchair symbol. This also promotes thepolysemic aspects of this key in relation to other keys. For instance,when used with key no. 7 (E=MC²) which stands for philosophy orabstractions in general, it means the philosophy of religion. It canalso mean "face" as a verb as in "To face facts", etc. After medical key29 it refers to the coccyx and seating problems, pressure points, etc.

Key no. 4 includes the central symbol which connotes the theme dressingor clothing In this particular illustration of key 4 there is depicted amale's clothing including a jacket, shirt and tie of various colors.Thus, as a theme key key no. 4 is associated with dressing and clothingand can be utilized to refer to specific colors if desired. Whenactuated after the medical key 29 the anatomy indicia of key no. 4 isutilized to retrieve a sentence related to the breathing functionassociated with the word "diaphragm".

Key no. 5 has the central symbol in the form of a curved arrow pointingin a direction towards a terminal point and refers to the general themeof "transport" or "travel." Thus, sentences would be recorded in theEPROM 14 related to trips, travel plans, visits and so forth and theactuation of key no. 5 as a theme key would selectively retrieve one ofthe sentences associated with travel depending which one of the otherkeys of the keyboard was actuated following the double actuation of keyno. 5. For example, the double actuation of key no. 5 followed by theactuation of the key no. 1 would refer to eating plans associated withtravel such as where one chooses to have dinner during their trip.

Key no. 6 has a central theme which deals with ablutions such astoileting, bathing, and things associated therewith. However, when usedas a modifying key following the double actuation of another key whichmakes that key a theme key, it may have different meanings. For example,when key no. 6 is actuated following the double actuation of theelectrical key 60, key no. 6 refers to water and could be used toretrieve a prerecorded sentence such as "There is no water in thebattery of my wheelchair". Also under certain circumstances, key no. 6including the central symbol of an outdoor privy could refer to privacy.

Key no. 7 includes the central symbol E=MC² and refers to the themephilosophy or ideas. When key no. 7 is double actuated to designate itas a theme key and is followed by the actuation of key no. 3 whichillustrates the fascade of a cathedral the prerecorded sentence which isselectively retrieved from the memory of the EPROM 14 of FIG. 1 may berelated to the philosophy of religion. In combination with the food keyno. 1 it could announce a sentence such as "I am a vegetarian"expressing a philosophy associated with eating.

Key no. 8 includes the central symbol which depicts a portion of a malewearing a formal tuxedo. Accordingly the theme of key no. 8 isformalities, departures, greetings and so forth. Used as a theme it mayselectively retrieve from memory prerecorded social statements such as"Pleased to meet you.", "It is my pleasure.", etc. When key no. 8 is notused as a theme but is used to modify or select specific sentencesassociated with theme keys it formalizes the annunciations and istherefore a key which connotes style or formality to a particular typeof sentence. If actuated with the medical theme key 29, key no. 8 refersto the head portion of the anatomy.

Key no. 9 has the central symbol which in Chinese is the symbol forcenter "JONG". This symbol refers to the self. Thus as a theme it mayrefer to personal opinions and disclosures. In a subordinate sequencefollowing the double actuation of another theme key it makes the userthe subject or object of the sentence. When subordinated to the medicalkey 29 it refers to the eye portion of the anatomy.

Key no. 10 includes the central symbol which is a likeness of BertrandRussell's profile. This key is merely used as a logic key or modalitykey to end a prior designated theme sequence For example, when key no.10 is struck once the next sentence which is generated will be from adifferent theme. If it is struck twice it opens or clears the system forthe initiation of other themes.

Key no. 20 is also a logic or modality key and may be utilized tointroduce tag questions such as a question ending in "Didn't he?","Aren't you?", "Won't they?", etc. In certain sequences it may mean tojoin or connect, as in the connection of a battery cable, etc.

Key no. 30 includes the central symbol of an ironically smiling sun andis utilized to change any negative context sentence into a positive oneas described hereinbefore. Of course, key no. 30 may also be utilized toretrieve a sentence having an association to the ovary, the letter "O"or the numeral 30.

Key no. 50 is utilized as a special mode key. If this key is pushedtwice it instructs the system to switch from a synthetic speech mode toa normal typewriter mode wherein each of the individual keys bearing theassociated letters or numerals may simply type out those individualletters or symbols on paper as in a conventional typewriter. Forexample, a double actuation of key 50 transforms the entire keyboardillustrated in FIG. 2 into a typewriter keyboard with no prearrangedsentences.

The above examples for the uses of the keys of FIG. 2 are illustrativeonly and it should be understood that many variations or modificationsof the above examples may be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the present invention. It should be further understood that theassociations between the various keys and the polysemic symbols thereonare more readily understood by an individual who has custom designedthose symbols for a keyboard intended only for his own personal use. Inthat event this user would choose his own polysemic symbols and numberof keys which are related to objects in his own lifestyle which can bereadily understood and remembered. Therefore, when learning to use thesynthetic speech system of the present invention the degree ofmemorization of the keyboard and the associated prerecorded sentenceswill be minimal to this user.

The keyboard of FIG. 2 as stated hereinbefore is designed for use by anindividual with a relatively high level of intellectual achievement andeducation. Accordingly, the polysemic symbols or real life objects andexpressions chosen are somewhat complex but because of their complexityperhaps more generic than simpler symbols requiring no high level ofeducational exposure. However, it is clearly desirable to be able toadapt the present invention to users with a lower level of education byutilizing more simplistic symbols. Such a keyboard is illustrated by thegroup of keys depicted in FIG. 3. Key no. 1 in FIG. 3 has a centraltheme of mathematics or numbers depicted by Pythagorean's theorem a² +b²=c². As in the FIG. 2 keyboard each of these keys also includes indiciaassociated with a portion of the human anatomy, a proper name, a letterand a number. Key no. 2 in the keyboard of FIG. 3 is a simpleillustration of a bathtub and a shower associated therewith connotingthe central theme of water or bathing. Key no. 20 has a central symbolof a chair or a throne which could be associated with a handicap'swheelchair. Key no. 4 has a central symbol of a telephone which in asimple translation can connote telephoning, calling, etc. Key no. 6depicts a dog fetching an object and therefore can connote the theme ofputting, placing, etc.

Examples of operation of the keyboard of FIG. 3 are as follows: a doubleactuation of key no. 20 with the central symbol of a chair followed bythe actuation of key no. 4 with the central symbol of a telephone may beutilized to selectively retrieve a prerecorded sentence such as "CallPotomac Valley Pharmacy about my wheelchair." The double actuation ofkey no. 20 followed by the actuation key no. 4 can selectively retrievethe sentence "Their number is in the phonebook" from the memory of thecomputer. The double actuation of key no. 20 followed by the sequentialactuation of key 6, key 2, and key 60 can selectively retrieve theprerecorded sentence "Put water in the battery" from the memory of thecomputer. Again, the double actuation of the key 20 followed by theactuation of key 2 alone can selectively retrieve the sentence "Pleaseclean my wheelchair."

Thus, it can be seen from the illustrative keyboards of FIGS. 2 and 3that the use of the central polysemic symbols enables the selectiveretrieval of a wide variety of prerecorded sentences from a computermemory with a minimal amount of memorization and number of key strokeson the part of the user. Therefore, the keyboard's design in accordancewith the concepts of the present invention provide a clear advance inthe art over information retrieval systems which utilize keyboards withnumbers, letters or individual words thereon to retrieve words, lettersor phonemes stored in their individual form in a computer memory.

It can also be seen that the keyboard designs for use in the presentinvention are for the most part multilingual and therefore can beutilized as language translators.

FIG. 4 is the general flowchart of a program for implementingclassification and logic functions for information coming from thekeyboards of FIGS. 2 or 3 into the memory of the microprocessor 16. Thatis, the flowchart of the program in FIG. 4 illustrates how the computer16 classifies keys actuated twice at the beginning of a sequence asprimary message theme keys and all successively actuated keys asmodifying keys.

It should be understood that the system and method described herein maybe modified as would occur to one of ordinary skill in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for enabling an operator to retrieve andgenerate a selected plural word message from a large number of pluralword messages relating to varied kinds of information stored in a systemfor producing messages, the system comprising memory means and aplurality of input devices actuable in any sequence the methodcomprising:associating with each respective input device differentpolysemic pictorial illustrations of real life objects, said polysemicpictorial illustrations not including alphanumeric characters or formal,contemporary, oriental language characters, each illustration beingsuggestive to an operator of the system of a plurality of types ofinformation; defining a plurality of sequences of said polysemicpictorial illustrations, each sequence of illustrations being suggestiveto an operator of the system of a semantic summary of a different pluralword message; selecting a sequence of a plurality of said polysemicpictorial illustrations which is suggestive to an operator of saidsemantic summary of said selected message, the number of polysemicpictorial illustrations in the selected sequence being much less thanthe number of alphanumeric characters which constitute the plural wordmessage when represented by formal alphanumeric language characters;actuating about two to four of said input devices having respectivelyand sequentially associated therewith said plurality of polysemicpictorial illustrations which is suggestive to an operator of saidsemantic summary of said selected message, thereby inputting a pluralityof signals to the system indicative of which input devices have beenactuated and in what sequence; retrieving said selected messagecorresponding to said plurality of signals from the memory means of thesystem; and outputting said selected plural word message.
 2. A method ofclaim 1 wherein said plural word message is a complete sentence.
 3. Amethod of claim 1 wherein said input devices are keys on a keyboard. 4.A method as in claim 1, comprising audibly outputting said selectedmessage.
 5. A method as in claim 1, comprising outputting said selectedmessage in a visually perceptible medium.
 6. A method as in claim 1,comprising printing said selected message.
 7. A method for enabling anoperator to retrieve and generate a selected plural word message from alarge number of plural word messages relating to varied kinds ofinformation stored in a system for producing messages, the systemcomprising memory means and a plurality of input devices actuable in anysequence, the method comprising:associating with each respective inputdevice different polysemic pictorial illustrations of real life objects,each illustration being suggestive to an operator of the system of aplurality of types of information; defining a plurality of sequences ofsaid polysemic pictorial illustrations, each sequence of illustrationsbeing suggestive to an operator of the system of a semantic summary of adifferent plural word message; selecting a sequence of a plurality ofsaid polysemic pictorial illustrations which is suggestive to anoperator of said semantic summary of said selected message, the numberof polysemic pictorial illustrations in the selected sequence being muchless than the number of alphanumeric characters which constitute theplural word message when represented by formal alphanumeric languagecharacters; actuating a plurality of said input devices havingrespectively and sequentially associated therewith said plurality ofpolysemic pictorial illustrations which is suggestive to an operator ofsaid semantic summary of said selected message, thereby inputting aplurality of signals to the system indicative of which input deviceshave been actuated; retrieving said selected message corresponding tosaid plurality of signals from the memory means of the system; andoutputting said selected plural word message.
 8. A method of claim 7wherein said plural word message is a complete sentence.
 9. A method ofclaim 7 wherein said input devices are keys on a keyboard.
 10. A methodas in claim 7, comprising audibly outputting said selected message. 11.A method as in claim 7, comprising outputting said selected message in avisually perceptible medium.
 12. A method as in claim 7, comprisingprinting said selected message.
 13. A method for enabling an operator toretrieve and generate a selected plural word message from a large numberof plural word messages relating to varied kinds of information storedin a system for producing messages, the system comprising memory meansand a plurality of input devices actuable in any sequence, the methodcomprising:associating with each respective input device differentpolysemic pictorial illustrations of real life objects, said polysemicpictorial illustrations not including alphanumeric characters or formal,contemporary, oriental language characters, each illustration beingsuggestive to an operator of the system of a plurality of types ofinformation; defining a plurality of sequences of said polysemicpictorial illustrations, each sequence of illustrations being suggestiveto an operator of the system of a semantic summary of a different pluralword message; selecting a sequence of a plurality of said polysemicpictorial illustrations which is suggestive to an operator of saidsemantic summary of said selected message, the number of polysemicpictorial illustrations in the selected sequence being much less thanthe number of alphanumeric characters which constitute the plural wordmessage when represented by formal alphanumeric language characters;sequentially actuating a plurality of said input devices havingrespectively and sequentially associated therewith said plurality ofpolysemic pictorial illustrations which is suggestive to an operator ofsaid semantic summary of said selected message, thereby inputting aplurality of signals to the system indicative of which input deviceshave been actuated and in what sequence; retrieving said selectedmessage corresponding to said plurality of signals from the memory meansof the system; and outputting said selected plural word message.
 14. Amethod of claim 13 wherein said plural word message is a completesentence.
 15. A method of claim 13 wherein said input devices are keyson a keyboard.
 16. A method as in claim 13, comprising audiblyoutputting said selected message.
 17. A method as in claim 13,comprising outputting said selected message in a visually perceptiblemedium.
 18. A method as in claim 13, comprising printing said selectedmessage.